Arkansas oversize and overweight rules
The short answer
Last checked
Without a permit, a load in Arkansas can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high on state and U.S. highways and turnpikes and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. The first pilot car is required for loads over 12 ft wide on roads other than interstates, or 100 ft or more long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. It treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft 6 in wide, 15 ft 6 in or more high, 100 ft or more long or 180,000 lb or more gross; the conditions in the axle and fee tables name other superload triggers.
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Legal limits without a permit
| Limit | Up to | Roads | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 inSafety devices the state designates are not counted. Seed cotton haulers may be 108 inches wide off the Interstate. | All roads | Ark. Code § 27-35-206(1) |
| Height | 14 ft | State and U.S. highways and turnpikes | 27 CAR § 111-206(a) |
| Length, single truck | 40 ftSeed cotton trucks may be up to 55 feet long off the Interstate, and buses up to 45 feet. | All roads | Ark. Code § 27-35-208(a)(1) |
| Length, semitrailer | 53 ft 6 inThe combination’s overall length is not limited while the trailer stays within this. A longer trailer is legal only if the whole combination is 60 feet or less (§ 111-207(b)). | All roads | 27 CAR § 111-207(a) |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbLower where a highway or bridge is posted. | All roads | Ark. Code § 27-35-203(d)(1) |
Source: Ark. Code § 27-35-206, 27 CAR §§ 111-206 and 111-207, Ark. Code § 27-35-208, Ark. Code § 27-35-203
Axle weight limits
| Axle or group | Without a permit | With a permit | Roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any single axle | 20,000 lbNo axle in a group may carry more. The steering axle is held to 20,000 pounds or its manufacturer’s rating if lower, and to 12,000 pounds without a rating plate. | Not set | All roads |
| 2 or more axles in a group, spread over 3 ft 4 in to 8 ft | 34,000 lbAny two or more consecutive axles more than 40 and up to 96 inches apart count as a tandem, also inside a longer group. | Not set | All roads |
| 3 axles in a group | 50,000 lb | Not set | All roads |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbLower where a highway or bridge is posted. | 180,000 lbAt 180,000 pounds or more the load is a super load, permitted only at ARDOT’s discretion when essential to public health, welfare, safety or defense, and it may need engineering examinations. | All roads |
| Single axle standing alone | Not set | 20,000 lbNo permit issues above this except for a vehicle of special design. A front tandem steering axle may carry 24,000 pounds. | All roads |
| 2 axles in a group | Not set | 46,000 lb (23,000 lb an axle)Does not cover a front or steering tandem, held to 24,000 pounds, or a vehicle of special design. | All roads |
| 3 axles in a group, spread 8 ft 1 in to 17 ft | Not set | 60,000 lb (20,000 lb an axle)A tridem’s outer axles are 97 to 204 inches apart. | All roads |
| 4 axles in a group, spread over 0 ft to 16 ft | Not set | 68,000 lb (17,000 lb an axle)Four consecutive axles within 192 inches, joined to share the load. Each axle is also held to 17,000 pounds, so balance the load across all four. | All roads |
The bridge formula applies to axle groups on all roads (27 CAR § 111-102(b), Table of Legal Dimensions and Weight Limits). “With a permit” lists the state’s permit figures; read each row’s condition, since some are review thresholds rather than limits.
Source: Ark. Code § 27-35-203, 27 CAR § 111-102, 27 CAR § 111-306, 27 CAR § 111-110
Pilot cars and escorts
Each row is one rule. A load can meet several; the permit lists the escorts for your move.
| Load | Roads | Front | Rear | Height pole | Police | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| over 15 ft highThe clearance bar reaches 6 inches above the permitted height, and the escort leads unless the permit says otherwise. Over 17 feet, written agreements with overhead utility owners are needed.111-505(d)(1) | All roads | 1 height pole car | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| over 115 ft longCovers every highway with fewer than four lanes. The Permit Section may add escorts and law enforcement.111-505(a)(2) | Two-lane roads | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 ft or more longIncludes exactly 100 feet. Covers Interstates and other controlled access divided highways of four or more lanes. The Permit Section may add escorts and law enforcement.111-505(a)(1) | Interstates | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| over 14 ft wideThe escort runs 200 feet behind. Width includes overhangs, clearance lights and other attachments. Also covers controlled access divided highways of four or more lanes. The Permit Section may add escorts.111-505(b)(1)(A) | Interstates | 1 behind | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 100 ft or more longIncludes exactly 100 feet. Over 115 feet on roads of fewer than four lanes, two escorts are needed. The Permit Section may add escorts and law enforcement.111-505(a)(1) | Roads other than interstates | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 12 ft up to 14 ft wideWidth includes overhangs, clearance lights, eaves and other attachments. Covers every highway except controlled access divided highways of four or more lanes. The Permit Section may add escorts and law enforcement.111-505(b)(3) | Roads other than interstates | 1 in front | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| over 14 ft wideWidth includes overhangs, clearance lights, eaves and other attachments. Covers every highway except controlled access divided highways of four or more lanes. The Permit Section may add escorts and law enforcement.111-505(b)(2) | Roads other than interstates | 1 in front, 1 behind | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
- The lead pilot car is the one that carries the height pole.
Superloads
Arkansas treats a load as a superload when it is any one of these:
- 180,000 lb or more gross
- over 16 ft 6 in wide
- 100 ft or more long
- 15 ft 6 in or more high
Source: 27 CAR § 111-505, 27 CAR § 111-110(a)
When you can travel
Holidays
All oversize and overweight permits, including single-trip and six-day county permits
No movement on the day the holiday is observed. If it is observed on a Monday or Friday, the adjoining weekend is barred too. 2026: Thanksgiving Thu Nov 26 only; Christmas Fri Dec 25 plus Sat and Sun Dec 26 to 27; New Year 2027 Fri Jan 1 plus Jan 2 to 3. No hour-of-day cutoff is stated. MLK, Presidents Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Eve can move with an advance permit.
27 CAR 111-106(f)-(h)Dates computed
Weekends
All permits
No weekend bar outside holiday weekends. Saturday and Sunday movement is allowed, and the Little Rock peak-hour rule does not apply on weekends.
Night
Permits generally; loads over 90 ft long
Permits are issued for sunrise to sunset. Loads over 90 ft long move in daylight on non-holiday days only. Loads up to 90 ft long at legal width and height may travel 24 hours, 7 days.
Cities and rush hour
Little Rock: I-30 MM 138-143, I-40 MM 151-155, all of I-630
All oversize movement
No oversize movement 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, on I-30 mile markers 138 to 143, I-40 mile markers 151 to 155 and all of I-630. The limit does not apply Saturday or Sunday.
Every state on one page: holiday, weekend, night and city restrictions by state. For this year’s holiday, see Thanksgiving 2026 restrictions.
Single trip permit fees
Within each kind of fee the largest that fits your load applies, and the kinds add up.
| Fee | When it applies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Permit fee27 CAR 111-203(b) | Every single trip permit | $17 |
| Overweight fee, per tonOverweight Fee Chart, mileage table | over 80,000 lb gross | Not computed here, see the source |
| Heavy load chargeArk. Code 27-35-210(e)(3) | 180,000 lb or more gross | Not computed here, see the source |
Source: 27 CAR 111-203(b), Bond/fee information, 27 CAR Part 111 Appendix, Overweight Fee Chart, Ark. Code 27-35-210(e)(1) to (3)
Where to apply
Arkansas issues permits through ARPARS. Apply at ar.gotpermits.com.
Wind
- Permitted loads may be held by the state when the wind is over 23 mph (27 CAR 111-106(d)).
What the rules don’t say
Where the sources are silent or say two things. Ask the state before you rely on these.
Legal limits
- The width and single truck length come from the Arkansas Code statutes; confirm them against the official Code before relying on an exact figure.
- The 14 foot height is ARDOT’s rule for the state highway system. Confirm the height limit with the county or city before using other roads.
Axle weights
- A steering axle and an adjacent axle 40 to 96 inches away are held to 24,000 pounds together, also under a permit (§ 27-35-203(c)(2)).
- Over 73,280 pounds, single axles are held to 18,000 and tandems to 32,000 pounds unless the axle spacing meets the statute’s Table I; check your spacing.
- Five axle haulers of sand, gravel, rock, crushed stone and unprocessed farm or forest products, and seed cotton, feed and solid waste haulers, have their own exemptions or variances off the Interstate.
- The 50,000 pound tri-axle group is stated without a spread. Under a permit, a tridem’s outer axles must be 97 to 204 inches apart.
- Inside a permitted tandem each axle may carry 23,000 pounds, while a lone axle is held to 20,000.
- Vehicles of special design have separate permit limits, including 650 pounds per inch of tire width (27 CAR § 111-401 and following).
- Annual and commodity permits (sealed containers, animal feed, forestry equipment and others) carry their own limits. Ask ARDOT about them.
- Ark. Code § 27-35-203 and 27 CAR Part 111 don’t state a pounds per inch tire limit for ordinary vehicles.
- A load of exactly 180,000 pounds gross is already a super load.
Pilot cars and superloads
- A super load is 180,000 pounds or more gross, more than 16 feet 6 inches wide, 100 feet or more long, or 15 feet 6 inches or more high. Its permit is discretionary, for loads essential to public health, welfare, safety or defense.
- A load 100 feet or longer needs an escort and is also a super load.
- Arkansas splits controlled access divided highways of four or more lanes from all other highways. A divided four-lane road without controlled access takes the other-highways escort count.
- Manufactured homes and houses have their own escort lines: one in front over 12 feet through 14 feet 9 inches wide on other highways, and two over 14 feet 9 inches.
- Arkansas’s escort rule (27 CAR 111-505) doesn’t state a police escort threshold; the Permit Section may require law enforcement vehicles.
- These escort lines were current under the rule action effective September 21, 2026; confirm with ARDOT before a move.
Permit fees
- Overweight loads also pay $8 to $16 for each ton or major fraction over the lawful weight, by miles traveled. The lawful weight depends on your axles, so work it out per load.
- A vehicle of 180,000 pounds gross or more pays up to $500 more by statute; ARDOT’s rules and permit page don’t state the amount charged, so ask before quoting.
- Engineering examinations may be required for super loads, and their cost is not stated.
- Mobile construction equipment has a reduced overweight chart ($1.25 to $8.75 a ton). Seasonal, annual and special permits for houses, wreckers, cross-ties, forestry equipment and others are priced separately.
- The $17 single trip fee applies once per permit unless another part of the rules sets a different fee.
Wind
- The same 20 knot (23 mph) restriction is repeated for house moves.
- The rule doesn’t say who decides, how drivers are told, or whether sustained wind or gusts count; it names strong winds and gusts together, so plan around 23 mph either way.
- The house move rule doesn’t state whether it reaches manufactured homes moved under other sections; ask ARDOT.
Where to apply
- Start from ARDOT’s oversize and overweight permit page and confirm which online system currently takes applications.
Questions about Arkansas
- When do I need an oversize permit in Arkansas?
- Without a permit, a load in Arkansas can be up to 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high on state and U.S. highways and turnpikes and 80,000 lb gross, with the conditions in the legal limits table. Loads past these figures generally need a permit from the state; see the legal limits table for the exceptions and for length, which depends on the vehicle.
- How much does an Arkansas oversize permit cost?
- On the fee schedule we checked, a single trip permit starts at $17. Some charges are not computed here; the fee table names them. The estimator on this page adds up the fees for your load.
- When do you need a pilot car in Arkansas?
- The first pilot car is required for loads over 12 ft wide on roads other than interstates, or 100 ft or more long, and a height pole car for loads over 15 ft high, with the conditions in the pilot car table. How many cars, and whether they lead or follow, depends on the road; the pilot car table lists each rule.
- What is a superload in Arkansas?
- Arkansas treats a load as a superload when it is over 16 ft 6 in wide, 15 ft 6 in or more high, 100 ft or more long or 180,000 lb or more gross. The conditions in the axle and fee tables name other superload triggers. The superloads list on this page gives each threshold with its source.
- When can oversize loads travel in Arkansas?
- At night: Permits are issued for sunrise to sunset. Loads over 90 ft long move in daylight on non-holiday days only. Loads up to 90 ft long at legal width and height may travel 24 hours, 7 days. This applies to permits generally; loads over 90 ft long. On weekends: No weekend bar outside holiday weekends. Saturday and Sunday movement is allowed, and the Little Rock peak-hour rule does not apply on weekends. Rush hour and city curfews also apply; they are listed on this page.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Arkansas?
- No movement on the day the holiday is observed. If it is observed on a Monday or Friday, the adjoining weekend is barred too. 2026: Thanksgiving Thu Nov 26 only; Christmas Fri Dec 25 plus Sat and Sun Dec 26 to 27; New Year 2027 Fri Jan 1 plus Jan 2 to 3. No hour-of-day cutoff is stated. MLK, Presidents Day, Veterans Day and Christmas Eve can move with an advance permit.
Sources
- Arkansas Code § 27-35-203: Single and tandem axle load limits, as printed in Arkansas Motor Vehicle and Traffic Laws and State Highway Commission Regulations, 2025 EditionArk. Code § 27-35-203Arkansas Department of Transportation and Department of Finance and Administration (digest issued by their authority, printed by Blue360 Media, hosted on ardot.gov). Read .
- Arkansas Code § 27-35-206: Width of vehicles (2025 Arkansas Code, as reproduced by Justia)Ark. Code § 27-35-206Arkansas General Assembly (text as reproduced by Justia; the official Arkansas Code is published by LexisNexis and was not read). Read .
- Arkansas Code § 27-35-208: Length of vehicles (2025 Arkansas Code, as reproduced by Justia)Ark. Code § 27-35-208Arkansas General Assembly (text as reproduced by Justia; the official Arkansas Code is published by LexisNexis and was not read). Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR Part 111, Subpart 2: Oversize and overweight movements27 CAR §§ 111-206 and 111-207Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, Code of Arkansas Rules (rules of the Arkansas Department of Transportation). Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 111-102: Introduction (Table of Legal Dimensions and Weight Limits)27 CAR § 111-102Arkansas Department of Transportation (rule); published in the Code of Arkansas Rules by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 111-302: Definitions (overweight permit subpart)27 CAR § 111-302Arkansas Department of Transportation (rule); published in the Code of Arkansas Rules by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 111-305: Maximum weight on front/steering axle27 CAR § 111-305Arkansas Department of Transportation (rule); published in the Code of Arkansas Rules by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 111-306: Single/tandem/tridem/quadrum axle load limits27 CAR § 111-306Arkansas Department of Transportation (rule); published in the Code of Arkansas Rules by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 111-110: Movement of super loads of extraordinary weight or dimension27 CAR § 111-110Arkansas Department of Transportation (rule); published in the Code of Arkansas Rules by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Read .
- Code of Arkansas Rules, 27 CAR § 111-505. Assignment of escorts for travel (Arkansas Department of Transportation permit rules)27 CAR § 111-505Arkansas Department of Transportation (rule); published in the Code of Arkansas Rules by the Arkansas Secretary of State. Read .
- 27 CAR Part 111, Over-dimensional and Overweight Vehicles and Loads (permit rules), section 111-20327 CAR 111-203(b), Bond/fee informationArkansas Department of Transportation (published in the Code of Arkansas Rules). Read .
- 27 CAR Part 111 Appendix, Overweight Fee Chart27 CAR Part 111 Appendix, Overweight Fee ChartArkansas Department of Transportation (published in the Code of Arkansas Rules). Read .
- Arkansas Code Title 27, Transportation, 27-35-210, Permits for special cargoesArk. Code 27-35-210(e)(1) to (3)Arkansas General Assembly (code text published by the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing). Read .
Found something wrong or out of date? Report an error to hello@thirteensix.com.
This page is a dated summary in our own words, not legal advice. The permit the state issues governs your move, and states change their rules; check with Arkansas before you travel.
Bordering states
- Crossing into Louisiana? See Louisiana rules
- Crossing into Missouri? See Missouri rules
- Mississippi, coming soon
- Crossing into Oklahoma? See Oklahoma rules
- Crossing into Tennessee? See Tennessee rules
- Crossing into Texas? See Texas rules
More guides: all states and the rules library.
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